FEATURED SPEAKERS
Cindy Thompson
Executive Director, Boundless Impact
Boundless Impact is a nonprofit organization formed in 2012 to support cross-boundary initiatives in education,
economic development and international relations. In her prior role at VIF International Education, Cindy helped
launch the Global Schools Network, a public-private initiative in K-12 education to ensure students are prepared
to succeed in the global economy. Through the Guilford Nonprofit Consortium, Cindy received a Certificate in
Nonprofit Management from High Point University.
Cris Mulder
Deputy Secretary of Communications, NC Department of Transportation
Before joining the NCDOT Cris was appointed to transform communication and outreach for the Wake County
Public School System. In one of her previous assignments, she served as Director of Marketing for VIF
International Education through a period of business transformation, when she led communication and worked
closely with the U.S. Department of State to expand the Global Schools Network. Other roles include corporate
marketing communications for Research Triangle Foundation, Microsoft and Sony Ericsson.
Linda P. Brady
Chancellor, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
As chancellor, Dr. Brady has led efforts to establish a mixed-use village designed to recapture the residential
character of the university, completed an academic restructuring and program review process designed to guide
future directions and investment, and positioned intercollegiate athletics as an important element of the student
experience. Under her leadership, UNCG has won numerous awards and recognitions.
Barry L. Burks
Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development, NC A&T State University
Dr. Burks oversees the 3rd largest research enterprise in the UNC system. He has over 30 years experience
leading research, technology development and systems fabrication projects for the nuclear, environmental, and
defense industries including classified and high security restrictions. He is widely published and is past Chair of
American Nuclear Society’s Robotics and Remote Systems Division
Jean Davis
Assistant Secretary for International Recruitment, NC Department of Commerce
Jean Davis directs the Division’s efforts to increase exports of NC products and services in all industry sectors to
global markets. Jean oversees the seven global offices of the NC DOC. Formerly, Jean was co-owner of an
international pharmaceutical consulting company. She has extensive experience in building business operations
in Asia, Europe and South America.
Allen E. Gant, Jr.
President & CEO, Glen Raven, Inc.
Allen E. Gant, Jr. is President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board of Directors for Glen Raven, Inc., a global provider
of innovative fabric-based solutions. Allen is considered a global business and textile industry leader and has
served on a number of national boards and advisory committees. In 2010, Allen was appointed to the US
Department of Commerce - Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Textile and Clothing (ITAC 13); and was
recently inducted into the American Textile Hall of Fame.
John R. Ryan
President, Center for Creative Leadership
A retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral, John joined the Center for Creative Leadership’s Board of Governors in 2002 and
became president in 2007. He directs the operations of CCL, which is supported by more than 500 faculty
members and staff at five campus locations in Asia, Europe and North America. A former Navy pilot, John
commanded squadrons, wings and forces in Asia, Europe and the Middle East during his 35-year military career.
John Herrera
Vice President of Latino/Hispanic Affairs, Self-Help Service Corp.
John Herrera, an immigrant from Costa Rica, is the co-founder and vice chair of the board of the Latino
Community Credit Union, the first fully bilingual financial institution in the state of North Carolina. He works as
Vice-President of Latino/Hispanic Affairs for Self-Help. This year, John was recognized by the White House as an
Immigrant Innovator Champion of Change – awarded to those who are helping create American jobs, grow our
economy, and make our nation more competitive.
Mark Brazil
Tournament Director, Wyndham Championship
The Greensboro Jaycees hired Mark in 2001 as Tournament Director. The Piedmont Triad Charitable Foundation,
host organization of the Wyndham Championship, now employs him to lead the $5.3 million purse tournament.
He is a member of the board of The First Tee of the Triad, Greensboro Sports Commission and the American
Junior Golf Association; and a member of the Greensboro Sports Council. In 2000, Golfweek Magazine named
Brazil to its inaugural “40 under 40” list of executives who will most likely shape the future of the golf industry.
Leo M. Lambert
President, Elon University
Dr. Lambert has advanced an ambitious agenda to establish Elon as a top-ranked liberal arts university and a
national leader in engaged teaching and learning. Under his leadership, the academic climate of the campus has
been strengthened through special initiatives to shelter a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa and to earn top
accreditations for Elon’s professional schools. He led the university to establish the Elon University School of Law
in downtown Greensboro and created a new School of Health Sciences.
Lillie Cox
Superintendent, Alamance-Burlington School System
In 2011, Dr. Cox was selected in a nationwide search as the first female superintendent for Alamance-Burlington
Schools. From 2009-2011, she served as superintendent for Hickory Public Schools. In September 2011, the
University of North Carolina at Greensboro School of Education recognized her for her outstanding career
achievements and contributions to her profession with the Distinguished Career Award.
Olga Topping
Vice President, BB&T International
Born in Colombia, South America, Olga majored in Management/Marketing and graduated from the University of
North Carolina, Greensboro in 1988. In 1989, she joined BB&T International Services, and her twenty-four year
banking career within the Division encompasses international operations, trade, credit, and the international sales
effort of BB&T for North and South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, DC and Kentucky.
Tsegga Medhin
Corporate Citizenship and Community Affairs Manager, IBM
Tsegga is responsible for the implementation, management and promotion of global IBM Corporate Citizenship
and Corporate Affairs initiatives. She has created a successful global partnership between industry and the African
Diaspora community of educators from Ethiopia, Nigeria and Tanzania. Tsegga’s focus is on Global STEM
Education, women and girls empowerment. She is also the recipient of a US Presidential volunteer award.
David Young
CEO, VIF International Education
Since 1990, David has helped lead VIF’s growth from a family project to the largest U.S. exchange visitor program
for teachers. He sits on several local executive and advisory boards, notably, the SECU Family House at UNC and
the Elon University School of Education. A member of the Alliance for Ethical Recruitment of International
Teachers task force, David has traveled to 36 countries and has lived and worked abroad in Costa Rica, Spain and
London.
Nicholas C. Williamson
Associate Professor, Export Odyssey, UNCG
Dr. Williamson received his AM, MBA and PH. D. degrees, all from the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill. His largely empirically based research has covered a variety of domains in exporting, including how to use
electronic databases to make an optimal choice of a foreign market to target with a specific product. The Export
Odyssey undergraduate student team project used in teaching international marketing has been a work in process
for over 20 years.
Michael Padjen
VP of International Sales, Klaussner Home Furnishings
Mike oversees Asheboro-based Klaussner’s exports to approximately 25 countries around the world and
shipments to over 50 countries. Mike has been involved in international trade (both exporting and importing) for
approximately 15 years. Previously, he held the position of Director, Furniture Export Office at the NC
Department of Commerce, International trade division.
Jenny Fulton
CEO, Miss Jenny’s Pickles
Jenny’s story is one of humble beginnings. After getting her education and gaining a career as a financial
professional, she was downsized during the recession. Jenny saw this as an opportunity to start her pickle
manufacturing company, now distributing to 1700 stores and internationally. Her success has attracted much
attention and she has been guest speaker at over 50 functions. Miss Jenny’s success is a tribute to her character,
zest for life and strong work ethic.
Stephanie Heckel
Senior International Trade Specialist, US Export Assistance Center
The U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce provides one-on-one international
trade consulting to firms in the Piedmont Triad area, assisting start-ups to export and experienced firms in
developing international market strategies and penetrating new markets. Stephanie is currently Global Team
Leader for the International Trade Administration’s Safety & Security Team.
Owen George
International Business Development Counselor, SBTDC
With more than 20 years of international business consulting experience, Owen specializes in helping North
Carolina companies expand their presence in the global marketplace. Owen graduated Summa Cum Laude in
Political Science at NC State University and as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar attended the Universidad de los
Andes in Bogotá, Colombia. Fluent in Spanish and Mandarin, Owen serves as Vice President of the North Carolina
World Trade Association.
James H. Trogdon, III
Chief Deputy Secretary of Operations, NC Department of Transportation
Jim, a registered professional engineer with 27 years of experience in the transportation field, was named
NCDOT’s Chief Operations Officer in 2009. He has been a key leader in the department’s effort to professionalize
its decision-making process and become a performance-based organization with an emphasis on accountability
and transparency. Prior to his work with the NC DOT, he worked with the NC General Assembly as Director of
Strategic Transportation Planning. Jim also has more than three decades of military service.
Kelly Abney
Executive Vice President of Logistics Operations, New Breed Logistics
Kelly has nearly 30 years of retail logistics experience and has expertise in operations support, network planning,
international logistics, prototype design, and engineering and logistics systems. During his tenure with a major
global retailer, he was responsible for 10M square feet of distribution centers, domestic transportation and the
international supply chain in 26 countries. As Executive VP of Logistics Operations of New Breed's Supply Chain
Services Division, Kelly oversees all logistics, distribution and transportation services for New Breed's diverse
client base.
Charles Edwards
Executive Director, NC Center for Global Logistics
Charles became the Executive Director of the North Carolina Center for Global Logistics in July 2012. He has
managed a commercial airport and been a senior advisor to public and private aviation and logistics projects in
the United States, Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia and the United Arab Emirates. Charles is Chairman of Dubaibased Freight Reach Services, LLC, which provides freight forwarding services in the UAE and East African
countries. He is co-author of Transport Logistics: The Wheel of Commerce.
George Clopton
VP of Distribution Operations, Ralph Lauren
George is the Corporate Vice President of Distribution Operation for Ralph Lauren, and has been with the
organization for 8 years. Recently, he has worked with the NC Department of Commerce to expand Ralph Lauren’s
presence in High Point, creating 500 jobs over the next 5 years, and investing $97 million into the community.
George’s prior organizations include the Gap, Inc., Nike, Inc., Georgia Pacific, Frito Lay, and Johnson & Johnson.
Bryan Toney
Director, NC Entrepreneurship Center, UNCG
Bryan has created several new programs at UNCG, including the Global Entrepreneurship Experience, a
partnership with the Louvain School of Management in Belgium. He has traveled to more than two dozen
countries, developing joint courses in international entrepreneurship, leading groups abroad and teaching
undergraduate and graduate level entrepreneurship courses.
Ed Kitchen
VP and COO, Joseph M. Bryan Foundation
Ed currently serves as VP & COO and Board Member of the Joseph M. Bryan Foundation; and he is Chairman of
the Board for Gateway University Research Park, a joint collaboration between NC A&T and UNCG whose mission
is to commercialize university research. He served as Greensboro’s City Manager from 1995 to 2005 where his
many accomplishments included a major investment in the City’s water and sewer system.
James G. Ryan
Founding Dean, Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering
Dr. Ryan is Founding Dean of the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN) of NC A&T State
University and UNC Greensboro, where his responsibilities include development of strategic partnerships with
industry and government organizations. Past experience includes a 25-year career at IBM. He is the author of
over 100 publications and presentations, has 52 U.S. Patents and is the recipient of numerous awards including 17
IBM invention plateaus.